A new era

"It is not so much our triumph as a triumph of the people who have decided that they must be involved in the political process of our country," said Suu Kyi, who is also known among her fans as "The Lady," in her victory speech on Monday.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who spent the last elections in 2010 under house arrest, was one of 44 candidates her National League for Democracy (NLD) party said had won.

No official results were expected for the next few days.

The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (UDSP) did not comment on the polls, nor did the Election Commission.

There was great excitement at the National League for Democracy's headquarters in Yangon, which was a sea of red flags bearing the fighting peacock.

"We are so glad that Aung San Suu Kyi has won," said supporter Than Da Myint Aung Kyi. "The country finally has better politicians - now everything will change."

Another supporter, Tau Da Tun, was ecstatic: "Aung San Suu Kyi has won!" he shouted. "I can't explain what that means for me. She'll surely fulfill our most urgent needs when she takes her seat in parliament. I really believe in that."

There are many needs that have to be addressed in the country, which urgently needs more employment and better education.

Cautious optimism

As opposed to the last round of elections in Myanmar, this time foreign observers and journalists were allowed to witness the process. Malgorzata Wasilewska, a European Union election observer, said the signs were very encouraging at about a dozen polling stations her team visited.

"However, that's not enough to assume that it is indicative of how the process was conducted in other parts of the country and certainly not enough to talk about credibility of elections," she pointed out.

One of the main topics of speculation was whether sanctions would be lifted. Observers said the US might lift restrictions such as visa bans and asset freezes, while it was thought the EU could terminate its ban on investment in timber and the mining of gemstones and metals there.

Critics, however, said that until all political prisoners were released and bloody conflicts with ethnic minorities ceased, there should be no lifting of sanctions against Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

There is still a long way to go, said observers. The burning question on many lips was whether President Thein Sein will offer Aung San Suu Kyi a ministerial post.

Author: Udo Schmidt, Anne Thomas (AFP, Reuters, dpa)
Editor: Sarah Berning